Apolitical

About Apolitical

Apolitical operates as a global peer-to-peer learning and social network platform tailored for government officials and public servants. Founded in 2015 by Robyn Scott and Lisa Witter, the company aims to connect public sector workers with innovative policy ideas, relevant experts, and potential partners to address societal challenges. Scott, the current CEO, has a background as an author and entrepreneur with experience in social enterprises and was named a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. Her interest stemmed from recognizing technology's potential to improve government, which controls about 40% of GDP. Witter, a serial entrepreneur with deep experience at the intersection of communications, government, and technology, is also a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader and co-founded the Apolitical Foundation to focus on political leadership.

The company's core offering is a platform providing public servants with access to communities, online courses, and interactive events. This social learning model allows members from over 170 countries to discover and share effective policy solutions and case studies, moving beyond siloed, traditional methods. The content is designed to equip officials with 21st-century skills, focusing on critical areas such as climate change and the integration of artificial intelligence in governance. For example, its "Government AI Campus" program, supported by partners like Google.org and Stanford Online, provides training and resources on AI applications for public servants.

Apolitical's business model appears to be a hybrid, generating revenue through partnerships with governments, academic institutions, and philanthropic organizations like the Bezos Earth Fund and the Gates Foundation. The platform offers both free and premium services, with a freemium structure for individual public servants and paid collaborations for deeper government and institutional engagement. Having raised capital through various funding rounds, including a significant Series A in March 2022, the company is focused on expanding its reach in markets like North America and Brazil and enhancing its course portfolio.